The formerly monotypic genus Blaiseus, known from Vietnam, is redescribed and nine new species are described and illustrated: B. fujianus new species (P.R. China), B. daklakensis new species (Vietnam), B. laoensis new species (Laos), B. malayensis new species (Malaysia), B. nothoafricanus new species (South Africa), B. zamoranoensis new species (Honduras), B. guatemalensis new species (Guatemala), and B. chiapasensis new species and B. mexicanus new species from Mexico. Morphological character states of the protibia, hind wing and aedeagus not previously observed in Elateridae are described and illustrated. A female specimen of Blaiseus (B. zamoranoensis) is first described here and displays a fossorial morphology type with reduced wings and eyes. Blaiseus is hypothesized to be at least 20 million years old based on its known geographic distribution and apparent female flightlessness.
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1 March 2009
Revision of Blaiseus Fleutiaux, a Genus Now Known from Asia, Africa and North America (Coleoptera, Elateridae, Cardiophorinae)
Hume Douglas
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